President William Ruto proposes a police digital unit to monitor social media amid a protest surge. President William Ruto tabled his annual report on national security in Parliament late last year. It covers the period from September 2024 to August 2025. The document points to social media as a key factor in recent unrest.
Protests in 2024 and 2025 saw heavy use of online platforms to organise and spread information. The report says misinformation and quick mobilisation online helped fuel demonstrations. Those events led to 42 civilian deaths, hundreds injured, and damage to property across several towns.
To deal with this, the government wants to set up a dedicated digital intelligence unit inside the police service. The plan includes suburb-level patrols, more use of surveillance tools, and new laws for digital policing. Officials argue these steps will help spot threats early and respond faster.
The report notes Kenya had over 2,000 protest events in that period, the highest in decades. Police used multi-agency teams, rapid response units, and aerial monitoring to handle crowds. Going forward, the focus shifts to tech-based solutions.
Not everyone agrees with the ideas. Critics worry about privacy and free speech. Activist Miguna Miguna called similar past moves a step toward more control. He and others fear the unit could track ordinary users without clear rules. Human rights groups say safeguards are needed to prevent abuse.
Parliament will review the proposals. Lawmakers can suggest changes or push for oversight. Similar efforts in the past faced court challenges over rights issues.
Social media played a big role in the protests. Young people used platforms like X and TikTok to share videos and call for action. That helped bypass traditional news outlets. But it also spread false claims, according to the report.
Police already have some online monitoring tools. Budget talks in 2025 included funds for the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to track social media. A system called Optimus 3.0 came up for possible purchase. It can locate users and scan posts.
The government says the goal is security, not silencing critics. They point to training on human rights for officers and non-lethal options for crowd control.
As elections near in 2027, online activity often rises. Past votes saw claims of hate speech and fake news. Officials want better ways to handle that without shutting down platforms.
Public views split on the plans. Some see a need for order after violent protests. Others remember cases where police tracked critics. Independent checks on any new unit matter a lot.
The report also covers broader police upgrades. Modern equipment, housing, and digitisation of records are part of a KSh28 billion programme over two years.
For now, the digital unit stays a proposal. Discussions in Parliament and public input could shape it. Kenyans watch closely how balance works between safety and rights.
This comes at a time when trust in institutions varies. Protests showed frustration over taxes and governance. Addressing root causes alongside security steps might help.
Details on the unit’s powers or limits remain unclear. More information should come as reviews go on.
